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Phewa Lake, Phewa Tal or Fewa Lake
Pokhara is probably the most beautiful place on earth. With no less than six of worlds highest mountain peaks eyeing down at you and a glacier feed lake glimmering around the green garden hills, for which Pokhara is also know as the Lake City.
Pokharas beautiful lake, called Phewa Lake, reflects on clear days the surrounding Himalaya range on its crystal clear waters. The Annapurna range on the north is only about 28 km (linear distance) away from the lake, and the lake is famous for the reflection of mount Machhapuchhare and other mountain peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges on its surface. During sunrise those snow-capped peaks lit up and the stillness in atmosphere helps for that perfect reflection.
Phewa Lake, Phewa Tal or Fewa Lake is the second largest lake in Nepal, a freshwater lake located in the south of the Pokhara Valley that includes Pokhara city; parts of Sarangkot and Kaskikot. The lake holds a pagoda-style temple, called the Varahi Temple.
The lake is stream-fed but a dam regulates the water reserve, therefore, the lake is classified as semi-natural freshwater lake. It is the second largest lake in Nepal, the largest in Gandaki Zone followed by Begnas Lake.
Phewa lake is located at an altitude of 742 m (2,434 ft) it covers an area of about 5.23 km2 (2.0 sq mi) with an average depth of about 8.6 m (28 ft) with maximum water depth is 24 m (79 ft).
Phewa lake and water sports is the main tourist attraction of Pokhara city and the north shore of the lake has developed into a tourist district, commonly called Lake-Side, with hotels, restaurants and bars catering to the tourists. The water from Phewa lake's outlet is used to generate electricity. The Phewa Power House is located about 1.5 km (0.93 mi) from the southern part of the Phewa lake. A part of the lake is also used as commercial caged fisheries.
Boat trip in the lovely Phewa Lake is the foremost attraction of Pokhara. The best way to appreciate the Phewa lake is by hiring a rowboat. Paddling out into the middle of the lake is a nice way to spend a quite afternoon. The Varahi Temple is situated on an island in the lake.
The Varahi Temple is the most important religious monument in the resort town Pokhara. Erected in the Center of Phewa Lake, this two-storied pagoda is dedicated to Varahi, the Hindu god Vishnu's third incarnation in the form of a wild boar.
While boating in Phewa Lake, you can see several varitiies of fish. Boating and fishing are the most popular attractions of the Phewa lake. Hiring a boat for a couple of hours and heading out to the other side of the lake bordering the forested hill and taking a swim can be the highlight of a nice warm day.
Many people walk or cycle around the lakeshore - the trek up to the World Peace Pagoda affords breathtaking views over the tal and the mountains beyond.
